In my teenage years I had an all consuming interest in aviation. Anything with man made wings and an engine or two would attract my attention.
It wasn’t just the aircraft themselves, it was also how they were operated. Navigation, routes, procedures all fascinated me.

I eventually obtained a Private Pilot’s Licence and although competent enough, I was never a natural.
I can say, with all due modesty, that my landings were usually pretty good. However some stretched the definition of ’landing’ beyond its elastic limit.
I think that they could be better described as ’arrivals’.
Of the bone crunchingly ’firm’ sort.

Eventually, I rather lost interest but a year or two ago it was rekindled to casual observer status.
Most of the aircraft I see here on a daily basis tend to be fairly unremarkable.
There’s the early morning rush of arrivals from the US and Canada and the corresponding conveyor belt of departures in the afternoon.

A number of Air New Zealand’s extended range Boeing 777s used on the Auckland-Los Angeles-London route, are truly eye catching in their special livery and I’ve shown a couple of the best here..
These two represent the Hobbit films which were made in New Zealand and help promote the country as a tourist destination.

They've taken this opportunity to grab an identity other than "Near Australia", and run with it. Not just businesses, like the airline, but the government has worked it into some legislation, trade agreements. I heard making disparaging remarks about Tolkien's work is treason. I've read, but can't verify, much of the population has embraced this fever.

I so wish you could come here, Carr.
Despite simply the pleasure of your company.

Dad's interest in aeroplanes has waned in line with the ascension of his dementia, but even he was like a little boy again watching the planes from Leeds/ Bradford airport appear and disappear over the Chevin. They are far lower than you ever see them in Aylesbury and its environs.

If he'd been here five years ago I know we'd have taken the 33a up close to the airport.
And ten years ago he'd have been driving and we'd have gone to the Yorkshire Air Museum (probably dropping Mum off for a Spa Day somewhere!)

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Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

I don't think I've ever heard an aircraft, and not looked up to marvel at it. Not as a child, and not as an alleged adult. Still do it today. Every time. I'll even get up and go outside when I hear a helicopter, or low-flying plane.

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I once jumped one of these contraptions, the French Puma. Rescue and firefighting versions were made with a small trap door in the floor. Enclosed by the aircraft, it felt like stepping into an elevator - going down!

I once jumped one of these contraptions, the French Puma. Rescue and firefighting versions were made with a small trap door in the floor. Enclosed by the aircraft, it felt like stepping into an elevator - going down!

Scads of pilots learned their way around carriers by training in the T-2. Generations, really, as the Buckeye was in service for 56 years.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

Loving the Vulcan, btw. It shares one spectacular facet with the SR-71...They both look absolutely sinister.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.